Indo-Pak talks is the solution for better relations, says Sudheendra Kulkarni

Udupi, Oct 18: Six days after his face was smeared with black paint by six workers of Shiv Sena, Sudheendra Kulkarni, the chairman of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said that "Shiv Sainiks dented India's image."

According to a TOI report, Kulkarni, who was in Udupi on Saturday, Oct 17, said "India is known as a peace-loving country and this attack was on democracy and the freedom of expression."

While saying that he organised the book launch of former Pakistani foreign minister with good intention, Kulkarni said that he fully stood by his decision to invite Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri to Mumbai as he thought promoting Indo-Pak dialogue is the right solution for better relations."

"War is not a solution; both countries cannot win as both nations have nuclear weapons. All should understand this truth and follow the path of dialogue", he was quoted as saying.

On Kashmir issue, he said that 'dialogue is the only solution'.

He declined to comment on the issue of returning Sahitya Akademi awards by some writers in the backdrop of killing of the renowned writer M M Kalburgi.

On Monday, Oct 12 morning, a group of Shiv Sainiks intercepted Kulkarni's car just outside his Matunga home and painted his face black.

An alumni of IIT Bombay, Kulkarni had joined the BJP in 1996 and he parted ways with the saffron party in 2009. Before that, he was associoated with CPI (M).

Kulkarni is the author of 'MUSIC OF THE SPINNING WHEEL: Mahatma Gandhi's Manifesto for the Internet Age'.

OneIndia News